The runway commonly used (11/29) is certainly not “too short”. The entire length of the runway is used during the landing roll simply because the taxiway turnoffs are situated at either end of the runway - the aircraft are allowed to roll to the end for the turnoff. The two other taxiways are not used to turnoff because it would require very hard braking to utilize them.
As for “plonking down”: The landings are firm because an extended hold off or float would eat up a lot of runway. The pilots are therefore required to touch down at their aiming point and this sometimes results in a firm landing. (It’s got nothing to do with a need to dissipate energy)
As mentioned by suitcaseman, the allowable landing and takeoff weights are carefully calculated.